Martin J Dowey

After what has been a dismal season for the club, Boro’s defeat of Ilkeston on Tuesday means that they are now a game away from lifting their first piece of silverware since the NCEL Premier title in 2013.

They now face up to either Marine or Colwyn Bay in the final at Stockport’s Edgeley Park on Friday April 29.

Kittrick is hoping for a party atmosphere on the night to help push his players over the line.

“I’m just pleased for everyone who has been here all season,” he said.

“There is no joy in travelling 40 miles to come and watch your team getting beaten every week.

“This is a thank you from the players to all the fans that have stuck by us. It is something for them.

“The fans that follow us home and away have seen a few good performances, some poor performances and some diabolical performances.

“The players do understand that they’ve underperformed, but that isn’t for the want of trying.

“We can hear the fans and it does make a huge difference to the players during a game.

“I just hope we can get as many Boro fans as possible on the night and that they all have a good time.

“Stockport’s ground is a good venue, hopefully we’ll turn it into Queensgate for the night to try and win this competition together.”

Boro’s assistant manager Chris Bolder has his sights set on a Doodson Trophy hat-trick.

Bolder made his long-awaited comeback on Tuesday night, coming on as a late sub.

That was his first appearance since the horror injury he picked up in November 2014.

He said: “I’ve won it under Steve at Guiseley and I won it with North Ferriby, so hopefully we’ll be able to make it a hat-trick this season.

“Coming on as a sub on Tuesday was a really nice feeling, I didn’t touch the ball, but I offered a few words of advice out there.

“It has been 15-and-a-half months since the injury, so it was great to get back out there.”

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